Drive Time
1h 19m
Distance
72.2 mi
116 km
Drive Score
7/10
Good drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$10
one way
Photo: Raul Kozenevski
The drive from Manitou Springs, CO to Aurora, CO covers 72.2 miles and takes about 1h 19m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on Cañon Avenue, Park Avenue, Manitou Avenue for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $9.81 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Break Rhythm
0 planned breaks
A short stop every 2 to 3 hours is enough for this drive.
Midpoint
36.1 miles from Manitou Springs, CO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 39m into the drive .
Expect a 1h 19m drive with frequent turns across 72.2 miles of local and secondary roads.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Cañon Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Park Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Manitou Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Midland Expressway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| West Cimarron Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| South 31st Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| West Fontanero Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Fontmore Road | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Step-by-step road directions between Manitou Springs, CO and Aurora, CO.
Start on the route
Turn right onto Cañon Avenue
Turn left onto Park Avenue
Continue on Park Avenue
Turn left onto Manitou Avenue
Exit the roundabout onto Manitou Avenue
Take the ramp slight right
Merge slight left onto Midland Expressway
Continue on West Cimarron Street
Turn sharp left onto South 31st Street
Turn right onto West Fontanero Street
Continue on Fontmore Road
Continue on West Fillmore Street
Take the ramp left toward I 25
Turn left
Merge slight left onto Monument Valley Freeway
Continue on Ronald Reagan Highway
Take the exit slight right toward I 225 North: Aurora, Limon
Continue straight
Keep slight left to continue on I 225 North: Limon
Take the exit slight right toward CO 30: 6th Avenue
Keep slight left to continue on CO 30: Colorado National Guard, Lowry Campus, 6th Avenue
Turn left onto East 6th Avenue
Turn right onto Vaughn Street
Turn right onto North Zion Street
Turn left onto North Vaughn Street
Arrive at your destination
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 72.2 miles or 1h 19m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 36.1 miles or 39m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 7m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Aurora, CO than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Manitou Springs, CO so your first major turns are already loaded.
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Manitou Springs, CO
This is one driving day of about 72.2 miles and 1h 19m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 36.1 mi from Manitou Springs, CO · 39m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
36 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
A short stop after about 72.2 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 36.1 miles from Manitou Springs, CO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Aurora, CO usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Aurora, CO.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$9.81 one way
$19.61 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $3.85 | $10.94 | $21.89 |
| premium | $4.15 | $11.80 | $23.59 |
| diesel | $3.75 | $10.66 | $21.32 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$10
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$35–$60
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 25.3 kg one way.
Driving Electric?
About $8 in charging · 0 stops · 68% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 21.7 | 0 | $7.58 | $3.47 |
| Efficient EV | 18.1 | 0 | $6.32 | $2.89 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 28.9 | 0 | $10.11 | $4.62 |
Gas CO2
25 kg
EV CO2
8 kg (68% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Morning in Manitou Springs on Saturday
Local time
11:09 AM
MDT
Current temp
34°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Morning in Aurora on Saturday
Local time
11:09 AM
MDT
Current temp
66°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
38°F
Castle Rock, CO
36 mi in
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
Use the two city cards together: check the sky where you start, then compare it with the local time and temperature at arrival.
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